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Cariporter Organic Store is one of Cariporter Inc's ways of making local, fresh, nutritional organic food more accessible and affordable. It is also the ultimate place for books on organic agriculture, information on the organic sector, organic statistics and more.

As we strive to consistently provide accuracy and quality, Cariporter Inc, its companies, associates, and partners, do not make guarantees or warranties. Also, please note that not all images reflect the exact products or services.

Organic food is believed to be healthier, more nutritional and taste better.

The demand for organic food is driven by three (3) main reasons:

Consumers wanting healthy, nutritious food;

Individuals wanting to know where their food is coming from;

And there is a greater desire to protect and conserve the environment.

Terms

As organic food becomes more popular, it may become more difficult in identifying labels, assessing claims, etc. This confusion is enhanced by the various terms being used to signify nourishing food such as natural, local, no hormones, free range, no antibiotics, fresh, fair trade, etc.; and terms that suggest a better form of farming such as regenerative agriculture, permaculture, biodynamic, biological agriculture, and sustainable agriculture, just to highlight a few.

All these terms may be associated to organic, but does not mean it is organic. For example, having animals such as cows who are free range (i.e. not locked inside continuously, and are allowed to roam freely in pastures) does not make them organic if they are fed with non-organic feed such as animal by-products, and/or they are treated frequently with antibiotics. Thus being organic is an entire process, not just one or a few activities.

The terms natural, local, no hormones, free range, no antibiotics, fresh, fair trade, etc. are terms used on labels to sell the product as being healthy. However, organic is the only method or measure that has standards that must be followed in order to be certified or recognized as being organic.

Fair trade is a process too, but it has more to do with labour – concerns about the welfare of the people who are involved in making the product, as opposed to organic that has to do with;

Ensuring organic food is healthy and nutritional;

Recordings to show where the organic food is coming from, and all that has been done during the organic food production process;

And protecting and conserving the environment.

The different farming practices such as regenerative agriculture, permaculture, biodynamic, biological agriculture, sustainable agriculture, etc. are just ways of doing agriculture and may involve the use of conventional chemicals and other inputs. But in organic farming, conventional chemicals are not allowed, and all inputs that are going to be used in organic agricultural production must be approved.

So what does organic mean?

According to the book Why Organic Farming Is Great For Canada by Leroy A. Brown, “Organic is a process within which crops are grown, animals are reared, food and beverages are manufactured using non-conventional methods, such as not using synthesized herbicides and pesticides for weeds and crops; not using genetically modified (GM) seeds; and not using growth hormones in animals, just to highlight a few. It involves the use of compost and worm castings as fertilizers; it is planting legumes to help return nutrients back to the soil; it is crop rotating and intercropping; it is growing animals like cows on grass, organic alfalfa and organic grain as food, and allowing them to grow and develop as nature intended for them, and so on.

Therefore, organic farming is doing agriculture in such a way that it protects the environment, and makes humans, plants and animals healthier.

In order to let the general public know that a product is indeed organic, if word of mouth and/or touring the farm/food operation is not sufficient, the producer will have his/her establishment assessed by an authorized certifier, before organic designation is given. This certification allows the farmer to sell not just locally, but nationally and globally.

Organic farming is more about wholesomeness rather than financial gains. And if done properly, it will result in a lot of money being earned, like what is being experienced by many of the stakeholders (such as farmers, distributors and retailers). However, if the aim is solely to make money, and to do so at any cost like in many large conventional food operations, then there will be far more losses than gains”.

The Canadian Organic Growers (COG) goes on to define organic as “… the only type of agriculture with a set of principles that puts nature first. These principles are enshrined in industry-developed standards approved by consumers and verified annually by third-party organizations. As of 2009, federal organic standards are now backed by government regulation and oversight.

Organic standards are based on seven general principles:

Protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health.

Maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil.

Maintain biological diversity within the system.

Recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise.

Provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioural needs of

livestock.

6.Prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of

Internationally, organic can be defined as “… a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.”[2]

The Organic World Foundation (OWF) – an institution that supports the global development of organic agriculture, and works closely with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Global Action Network, has described organic agriculture as being based on the following four (4) principles:

THE PRINCIPLE OF HEALTH

“Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.

This principle points out that the health of individuals and communities cannot be separated from the health of ecosystems. Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems and it is not simply the absence of illness. Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of health.

In particular, organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. In view of this it should avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects.”[3]

THE PRINCIPLE OF ECOLOGY

“Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.

Those who produce, process, trade, or consume organic products should protect and benefit the common environment including landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air and water.

Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological balances in nature. These cycles are universal but their operation is site-specific. Organic management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and scale. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and energy in order to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources.

Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity.”[4]

THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS

“Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.

Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice and stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living beings.

This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers. Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life, and contribute to food sovereignty and reduction of poverty. It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products.

This principle insists that animals should be provided with the conditions and opportunities of life that agree with their physiology, natural behavior and well-being.

Natural and environmental resources that are used for production and consumption should be managed in a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations. Fairness requires systems of production, distribution and trade that are open and equitable and account for real environmental and social costs.”[5]

THE PRINCIPLE OF CARE

“Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that responds to internal and external demands and conditions. Practitioners of organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and well-being. Consequently, new technologies need to be assessed and existing methods reviewed. Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and agriculture, care must be taken.

This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture. Science is necessary to ensure that organic agriculture is healthy, safe and ecologically sound. However, scientific knowledge alone is not sufficient. Practical experience, accumulated wisdom and traditional and indigenous knowledge offer valid solutions, tested by time. Organic agriculture should prevent significant risks by adopting appropriate technologies and rejecting unpredictable ones, such as genetic engineering. Decisions should reflect the values and needs of all who might be affected, through transparent and participatory processes.”[6]

Benefits of consuming organic food and why you should go organic

Now that we are clearer on what is organic and what is involved in organic production, let us look at some of the benefits of organic food and why you should go organic. The benefits are:

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Individuals with allergies that are food related, may find them lessened or they no longer exist when they consume organic food.

Not feeding livestock with animal by-products will reduce the probability of creating ailments such as mad cow disease [bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)].

Organic food has more antioxidants than conventional food.

Using no pesticides, herbicides and insecticides reduces health risks for farmers, livestock, wildlife and people living in close proximity.

Many times, organic food is produced locally. Consequently, less distances have to be travelled for the organic food to get to its destination such as farmers markets, homes, retailers, etc. As such, less fossil fuel is used, and less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is released into the atmosphere.

AGRICULTURE

In producing organic food, there is no need for conventional fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.

Organic farming increases soil fertility.

Organic agriculture allows farmers to make a better living due to better prices for their products.

Not using conventional chemicals such as weedicides and pesticides helps to reduce the emergence of “super weeds” and “super pests” respectively.

Organic agriculture offers many job opportunities such as being an organic inspector, organic restauranteur, organic farmer, and organic food retailer, just to highlight a few.

Producing organic food may involve more human work than mechanical. As such, more individuals are employed so helping to reduce unemployment.

Many times organic food is produced locally. And it is customary that the organic farm gets its supply and labour from the surrounding community, so keeping the money it earns in the local economy, and inevitably helps in growing and developing the district.

CSA is a collaborative way for individuals to assist farmers in their agricultural pursuits for the farming season, and in return, you receive deliveries of healthy organic food.

It works by you paying in advance for your organic food such as organic vegetables, fruits, spices, etc., and during the farming season, you receive your weekly (or as you determine) organic produce.

For example, in the Cariporter Organic CSA programme, you may pay for 16 weeks delivery of organic food. This is normally from June – September.

During the 16 weeks, you will receive at least six (6) different organic food each week, and as much as thirty two (32) over the course of the 16 weeks. This makes it a lot cheaper than purchasing each type of organic produce separately.

Payments are made in advance (i.e. before the farming season which is usually May – October). This ensures the organic farmer knows how much clients he or she will be producing food for, so as to reduce wastage and ensure quality. Advance payments also help the organic farmer to cover some of the expenses involved in organic food production, before he or she is ready to deliver organic food to customers.

Some of the benefits of joining Cariporter Organic CSA are that it offers discounts and free gifts, especially for early birds.

In Cariporter Organic’s case, its organic farm operation is within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), so it delivers to areas in close proximity such as Ajax, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, King City, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Toronto.

All the food sold by Cariporter Organic is locally produced and is 100% organically grown.